Brunswick Corp Upgraded to Buy by Jefferies
Brunswick Corp's stock rose by 7.03% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting positive market conditions with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.40% and the S&P 500 up 0.21%.
This surge is attributed to Jefferies upgrading Brunswick from hold to buy, raising the price target from $65 to $115, suggesting a 52% upside. The upgrade reflects optimism about future consumer spending, particularly if the Fed cuts rates further, which could stimulate interest in big-ticket items like boats. Analysts also project Brunswick's 2027 earnings per share to exceed Wall Street consensus by over 50%, indicating a structurally improved business model.
The upgrade from Jefferies highlights a positive outlook for Brunswick, suggesting that the company is well-positioned to benefit from a recovery in consumer spending and favorable market conditions.
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- Dividend Safety Overview: In the context of unpredictable market conditions, mid-cap stocks like ADT, Global Net Lease, and Levi Strauss & Co. received the lowest dividend safety grade of F, indicating significant risks in maintaining dividend payments, which could undermine investor confidence.
- Rating Criteria Explained: The dividend safety grade assesses a company's ability to sustain dividends through various market conditions by analyzing multiple financial factors beyond just current yield, with grades ranging from A+ to F, where D+ or below is considered a sell signal.
- Top Five Companies: Among the lowest-rated stocks, American Eagle Outfitters and Bath & Body Works received D- grades, suggesting they also face sustainability risks in dividend payments, potentially impacting shareholder returns.
- Market Impact: As market volatility increases, investor focus on dividend safety intensifies, and companies with lower ratings may experience greater capital outflow risks, leading to downward pressure on their stock prices and affecting overall market sentiment.
- Sales Growth: Brunswick Corporation reported net sales of $5.4 billion for 2025, a 2% increase year-over-year, marking the first annual sales growth in three years, reflecting improved market conditions and strong wholesale orders.
- Free Cash Flow Increase: The company generated free cash flow of $442 million, up 56% year-over-year, providing robust funding for future investments and shareholder returns, highlighting its financial health.
- Business Expansion: The Propulsion segment saw a 23% increase in Q4 sales and unveiled the 808 horsepower outboard engine concept, maintaining market share leadership while securing exclusive agreements with multiple OEMs, enhancing competitive advantages.
- 2026 Outlook: Management anticipates revenue between $5.6 billion and $5.8 billion for 2026, with adjusted EPS ranging from $3.80 to $4.40, remaining optimistic about market prospects despite facing $35 million to $45 million in tariff costs.
- Sales Growth: Brunswick Corp achieved $5.4 billion in sales for FY 2025, a 2% increase year-over-year, demonstrating robust growth across all business lines despite tariff pressures, thereby laying a solid foundation for future investments.
- Free Cash Flow Increase: The company generated $442 million in free cash flow, significantly higher than the previous year, enhancing financial flexibility for further investments and debt reduction, which optimizes its capital structure.
- Market Share Expansion: Mercury Marine holds approximately 47% market share in the US, Canada, and Europe, gaining 70 basis points in the second half of the year, indicating the company's strong position in a competitive market.
- Global Network Expansion: The Freedom Boat Club grew to 442 locations worldwide, with member trips up 5% over 2024, showcasing the company's success in market expansion and enhancing customer experience.
- Revenue Growth: Brunswick achieved a 15.5% revenue increase in Q4 2025, marking its first full-year net sales growth in three years, indicating a strong recovery following stabilization in retail demand.
- Market Performance: While U.S. boat market retail unit sales fell approximately 9%, Brunswick's leading brands outperformed the industry with only a 5% decline in global retail unit sales, reflecting strong competitiveness amid healthy dealer inventory levels.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted operating earnings surged 41% in Q4, with adjusted operating margin up 90 basis points year-over-year, demonstrating that sales growth and production efficiency improvements effectively offset the impacts of tariffs and reinstated variable compensation.
- Outlook: Brunswick is optimistic about 2026, expecting to benefit from retail market stabilization observed in the second half of 2025, and plans to continue driving operational efficiencies while being encouraged by strong market reception for new products.
- Strong Earnings Report: Brunswick's Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.58 beats expectations by $0.01, indicating sustained profitability that is likely to positively impact stock performance.
- Revenue Growth: The company reported Q4 revenue of $1.33 billion, a 15.7% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $120 million, reflecting strong demand and competitive positioning in the market.
- Optimistic 2026 Guidance: Brunswick forecasts net sales between $5.6 billion and $5.8 billion for 2026, exceeding the consensus of $5.54 billion, with adjusted diluted EPS expected to range from $3.80 to $4.40, showcasing confidence in future growth.
- Q1 Outlook: The company anticipates Q1 2026 revenue between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, with adjusted diluted EPS projected at $0.35 to $0.45, further indicating robust financial performance and market prospects.










